Picture frame having adjustable decorative element

ABSTRACT

A picture frame is provided with a rotary decorative body that is rotatably mounted on a main portion of the frame. The rotational axis of rotary decorative body runs parallel to the respective frame side. The rotary decorative body is mounted at its two ends on respective support arms that are connected to the main portion. The support arms may be attached rigidly or pivotably. The rotary decorative body may have an outer surface of any design, and it may be provided with an interior light source.

BACKGROUND

[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §§119 and/or 365to Patent Application Serial No. 100543634 filed in Germany on Nov. 2,2000, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0002] The invention relates to a picture frame having a pictureenclosed by four frame members and at least one support for a decorativeelement attached to a frame member.

[0003] In many cases there exists an aesthetic cross-effect between apicture and the picture frame receiving the picture. At least astylistic or color harmony between the picture frame and the picture isachieved in most cases. To this end, even the buyer or the owner of thepicture has an additional aesthetic design possibility, which is notonly limited to the choice of the picture frame, but in addition also tothe choice of one or more supports for decorative elements attached tothe picture frame.

[0004] On a known picture frame of the type mentioned in the beginning,these supports for a decorative element consist of elongated bodies,e.g. strip-shaped, which are respectively fastened to a frame member.However, subsequent alterations of the support for the decorativeelement is not possible—particularly the replacement of the support isat least difficult.

[0005] It is the object of the invention to design a picture frame ofthe type mentioned in the beginning in such a manner that diverseadditional possibilities in design are provided.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention in that thesupport for a decorative element is a rotary decorative body, which ismounted to the frame member and which runs essentially parallel to therespective frame member.

[0007] The rotatable mounting of the rotary decorative body makespossible to selectively turn different sides of the rotary decorativebody toward the observer whereby said sides may be of different designin color and graphics. For example, one side of the rotary decorativebody may be in the color of gold and the opposite side may be designedin silver whereby diverse possibilities of aesthetic design are madeavailable by turning the body. Depending on the respectively selectedturned position of the rotary decorative body, there are achievedcompletely different color and aesthetic effects, which have a directinfluence on the observer as well as on the picture itself

[0008] It is also possible to provide the rotary decorative body withpatterns, diagonally or straight-running color strips, or colorpatterns, or pictorial representations, for example, in harmony with therespective picture or in a selected contrast thereto, or as anillustrative expansion of the picture.

[0009] The artistic design possibility provided thereby for the user orthe observer of the picture may cause complimentary effects in regard tocolor, graphic effects or the pictorial representation. Pictorialrepresentations on the rotary decorative body may be a copy of thepicture itself whereby it is continued in a corresponding manner or theymay alter the pictorial representation. Blending of all these designpossibilities is conceivable.

[0010] A rotary decorative body is arranged preferably on two framemembers opposite to one another. Additionally, it is also possible toarrange a rotary decorative body to three or all four frame members. Theeffect and the design possibilities are correspondingly increased andexpanded.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the rotarydecorative body is mounted at its two ends to a support arm that isconnected to the picture frame.

[0012] Instead, it is also possible that the rotary decorative body ismounted on a support arm that is connected to the picture frame wherebysaid support arm extends through a slot to a bearing on the inside ofthe rotary decorative body. Support arms, on which ends the rotarydecorative body is mounted, may not be necessary in this case, which istechnically favorable and aesthetically attractive, particularly in thearrangement whereby rotary decorative bodies are disposed at all fourframe members.

[0013] The support arms may be rigidly attached to the picture frame.Instead, it is also practical in the development of the designpossibilities that the arms on the picture frame are able to swivelabout a swivel axis running parallel to the rotational axis of therotary decorative body. The rotary decorative body may be pivoted awayfrom an arrangement that is lateral and adjacent to the respective framemember and pivoted toward an arrangement in front of said frame memberand even past the bordering edge of the picture, which results in verydiverse design possibilities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentfrom the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereofin connection with the accompanying drawings in which like numeralsdesignate like elements and in which:

[0015]FIG. 1 shows a picture frame in a front view having a laterallyarranged rotary decorative body.

[0016]FIG. 2 shows the picture frame according to FIG. 1 in a top view.

[0017] FIGS. 3-5 show diverse embodiments of rotary decorative bodies ona respective picture frame.

[0018] FIGS. 6-9 show each a partial top view of diverse designs of thesupport arms onto which a rotary decorative body is mounted.

[0019]FIGS. 10 and 11 show a picture frame with a rotary decorative bodyilluminated from the inside.

[0020] FIGS. 12-15 show horizontal cross sections through diverse rotarydecorative bodies illuminated from the inside.

[0021]FIGS. 16a)-16 k) show respective cross-sectional shapes of rotarydecorative bodies.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0022] The picture frame illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 encloses apicture 1, e.g. a painting, a print or a photography and said pictureframe has four frame members 2, 3, 4, and 5, which are connected to oneanother in form of a mitered frame.

[0023] Two rotary decorative bodies 6 are laterally arranged adjacent tothe vertical frame members 2 and 3 whereby said rotary decorative bodiesare designed as cylinders in the embodiment example according to FIG. 1,which extend along the entire length of the respective neighboring framemember 2 or 4. The two rotary decorative bodies are rotatably mounted attheir two ends to a respective support ram 7 connected to the pictureframe. Each support arm 7 is provided with a bearing, for instance apivot pin 8, for the rotary decorative body 6, and the support arms 7are attached to respective swivel bearings 9 at the end of therespective horizontal frame member 3 or 5.

[0024] The outer surface of the rotary decorative body 6 may be designedin any fashion in reference to color and graphics, and it offers therebya large spectrum of artistic design possibilities, which may be orientedin the above-described manner to the representation of the picture 1.

[0025] In the configuration according to FIG. 3, there are four rotarydecorative bodies 6 arranged at all four sides of the picture 1. Eachrotary decorative body 6 is rotatably mounted on a support arm 10 thatis connected to said picture frame whereby said support arm extendsthrough a slot 11 (indicated only on the right in FIG. 1) to a bearing12 on the inside of the rotary decorative body 6.

[0026] In the embodiment example according to FIG. 4, there are tworotary decorative bodies 6 and 6′ mounted, which are aligned with oneanother and which are disposed at the left side, parallel to the framemember 2, and whereby said two rotary decorative bodies may be rotated,independently :from one another, and whereby they are rotatablyconnected to one another via the axle 13 for this purpose.

[0027] On the right side of FIG. 4 is shown that the rotary decorativebody 6 may be designed shorter than the respective frame member 4. Thepivot pins 8′ of the support arms 7 are correspondingly lengthened.

[0028]FIG. 5 shows an embodiment wherein the two rotary decorativebodies 6 and 6′ may be axially adjustable in the way of a telescope tovary the effective length of the element defined by the two bodies.Thus, the two bodies are aligned with one another, rotatably mounted asa unit, and oriented parallel to the frame member 2. The fitting tovarying frame sizes is thereby possible in a simple manner,

[0029] The swivel bearing of the support arms 7 is indicated in FIG. 6.FIG. 7 shows an embodiment wherein each support arm 7′ consists of twotelescoping arm halves 7 a and 7 b that may be adjusted in thelongitudinal direction of the arms so that a longitudinal adjustmentpossibility is provided for the arm 7′ itself.

[0030] In FIG. 8 is indicated that the swivable arm 7 may be selectivelylocked at any one of several swivel positions in any suitable manner.

[0031] While the cylinder-shaped rotary decorative body 6 is rotatableabout its longitudinal axis in the presently shown preferredembodiments, it is shown in FIG. 9 that the rotary decorative body 6(cylindrical-shaped here also) mounted on the swivel arms 7 can beswiveled about a rotational axis that is offset from, and extendsparallel to, the longitudinal center axis, and whereby said rotationalaxis may be selected to be adjustable on the rotary decorative body 6 aswell. For example, FIG. 9 depicts the body 6 being rotatable about anoffset axle 8 a. By shifting the axle, e.g., along a notched slot 20,the location of the axle can be adjusted, e.g., to location 8 b.

[0032] In the example according to FIG. 10, the rotary decorative body 6contains an elongated internal light source 13, e.g. a fluorescent tube,which extends essentially along the entire length of the rotarydecorative body 6. The rotary decorative body 6, which contains at leastone such light source, is at least partially translucent or transparent.

[0033] As a modification thereof, the rotary decorative body 6 in theexample according to FIG. 11 contains a plurality of internal lightsources 14 arranged at a distance to one another, which may also beadjusted relative to one another in any suitable manner as indicated bythe arrows in FIG. 11.

[0034] Instead of the transparent embodiment of the rotary decorativebody 6—or in addition thereto—it may also be proposed that said rotarydecorative body 6 is provided with at least one light-emitting opening,e.g. at least one light-emitting slot 15, running longitudinally andextending along a part of an outer periphery of the cylindrical rotarydecorative body, as shown in the embodiments according to FIGS. 12 and13, respectively. That slot may also be shut whereby there is a flap 16provided that may be closed and opened (FIG. 12), or a circumferentiallymovable slide cover 17 provided as shown in the example in FIG. 13. Theamount of emitting light may be changed thereby especially for theillumination of picture 1.

[0035] In the embodiment according to FIG. 14, there are a plurality oflight-emitting openings provided on the rotary decorative body 6, e.g.light-emitting slots 15 or holes, which may also be of varying size atdifferent sides of the rotary decorative body 6, as illustrated, so thatdiverse light effects are created by rotation of said rotary decorativebody.

[0036] Diverse illumination effects may be achieved in cooperation withthe rotation of the rotary decorative body 6 and through the design oflight-emitting slots explained in only a few embodiment examples. Theillumination may be in the form of a line or a spot, for example.

[0037] In the example according to FIG. 15 it is shown that the rotarydecorative body 6 is comprised of two concentric cylinders 6 a, b thatmay be rotated independently from one another and whereby at least theouter cylinder 6 a is at least partially transparent. Very differenteffects in design may be achieved by changing the relative turnedpositions of the two cylinders 6 a and 6 b.

[0038] In FIGS. 16a-16 k there are shown numerous example of diversecross-sectional designs of rotary decorative bodies 6 a-6 k, whichdeviate from the above-described cylindrical design. The cross-sectionaldesign possibilities shown in the examples in FIG. 16 are not exhaustiveof the many possible shapes which the decorative bodies may assume.Aside from the rotary decorative bodies shown in FIGS. 16a-16 kconsisting of noncircular or polygonal bodies, there are additionaldesign possibilities conceivable particularly in combination with thedescribed illumination possibilities and design, possibilities indifferent colors.

[0039] Although the present invention has been described in connectionwith the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated by thoseskilled in the art that additions, deletions, modifications, andsubstitutions not specifically described may be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A picture frame including four frame membersbordering a space for receiving a picture, and at least one rotarydecorative body mounted to a respective one of the frame members forrotation relative thereto about an axis extending substantially parallelto the respective frame member.
 2. The picture frame according to claim1, wherein there are two of the rotary decorative bodies mounted onrespective frame members arranged opposite to one another.
 3. Thepicture frame according to claim 1, wherein there are more than two ofthe rotary decorative bodies mounted on respective frame members.
 4. Thepicture frame according to claim 1, wherein said rotary decorative bodyis mounted at its two ends to a respective support arm that is connectedto the respective frame member.
 5. The picture frame according to claim4, wherein said support arms are rigidly attached to the respectiveframe member.
 6. The picture frame according to claim 1, wherein said atleast one rotary decorative body is mounted on a support arm connectedto the picture frame, wherein said support arm extends through a slotformed in said at least one decorative rotary body for connection with abearing situated inside of said rotary decorative body.
 7. The pictureframe according to claim 4, wherein said support arms are mounted to beswiveled about a swivel axis running parallel to the rotational axis ofsaid at least one rotary decorative body.
 8. The picture frame accordingto claim 7, wherein said support arm is lockable in any one of selectivepositions of adjustment upon being swiveled relative to the respectiveframe member.
 9. The picture frame according to claim 4, wherein eachsupport arm comprises two arm halves adjustable relative to one anotherin the longitudinal direction of said respective support arm.
 10. Thepicture frame according to claim 1, wherein said at least one rotarydecorative body is of cylindrical shape.
 11. The picture frame accordingto claim 10, wherein the axis of rotation coincides with a longitudinalcenter axis of the cylindrical decorative body.
 12. The picture frameaccording to claim 10, wherein the axis of rotation is offset from, andsubstantially parallel to, a longitudinal center axis of the cylindricaldecorative body.
 13. The picture frame according to claim 1, whereinthere are two of the rotary decorative bodies, the bodies being alignedwith one another and extending parallel to the respective frame member.14. The picture frame according to claim 13, wherein said two rotarydecorative bodies are arranged in telescoping relationship and areaxially adjustable relative to one another.
 15. The picture frameaccording to claim 1, wherein said at least one rotary decorative bodycontains at least one internal light source and is at least partiallytranslucent or transparent.
 16. The picture frame according to claim 15,wherein the elongated light source extends essentially along the entirelength of said at least one rotary decorative body.
 17. The pictureframe according to claim 15, wherein said at least one rotary decorativebody contains a plurality of internal light sources arranged at adistance to one another.
 18. The picture frame according to claim 17,wherein said light sources are adjustable relative to one another. 19.The picture frame according to claim 15, wherein said at least onerotary decorative body contains at least one light-emitting opening. 20.The picture frame according to claim 19, wherein said at least onerotary decorative body has at least one light-emitting slot orientedlongitudinally.
 21. The picture frame according to claim 10, whereinsaid at least one rotary decorative body comprises two concentriccylinders that are rotatable relative to one another.
 22. The pictureframe according to claim 1, wherein said at least one rotary decorativebody has a noncircular cross sectional shape.
 23. The picture frameaccording to claim 22, wherein said at least one rotary decorative bodyhas a polygonal cross sectional shape.